Ireland vs England LIVE: Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier result and reaction

They were then awarded two penalties for handball, with defender Alex Greenwood converting the first in the 18th minute before sending the second against a post in the 30th.

Wiegman’s side sit second in the pool behind France, who have six points after beating Sweden 1-0, while Eileen Gleeson’s Ireland remain without a point, having lost 1-0 to the French in their first game last Friday.

“Hard game, we totally dominated the first half, we could have been up 4-0. But later on in the game, they were more opportune than in the first half. They came to fight and we wanted to stay out of the fight. We had to show lots more than being really tight in possession.

“This game was totally different to Sweden. I think in the first half we had moments where we played really well, but sometimes we were a bit too loose on the ball, They got a bit of momentum because of their subs. In the end, we just kept them there. I just hope we can manage the game a little better.”

“The first half it felt like we were too passive at times, we gave them a lot of space in central areas,” McCabe says to ITV. “We tweaked a few things and needed to push on. I’m proud of how we applied ourselves in the second half.

“I haven’t seen the penno back but it’s frustrating. They are avoidable goals. But we created a few chances towards the end – unfortunately they didn’t go in.

“We’ll be looking and reviewing post-game. Going forwards, especially in transitions, we need to be better on the ball and more dangerous. There’s four games left and we know we’ve got quality and strengths. We saw that towards the end of the second half, but England showed their experience. We won’t be dropping our heads.”

“The most important thing was three points. We would have liked it to have been a bit more convincing but it was a good finish to hold out. I just really, really love playing for England. When I put this badge on, I feel ten times taller. I loved every second of that.

“I had my eyes set on this. I wanted to be good enough to play for England again – the standards are so high and the players who have been here have made them higher. Hopefully I’ll keep getting stronger.

“It says a lot about our standards that we thought Sweden was a set-back. I’m very, very happy with the three points.”

Another really gutsy performance from the Republic of Ireland, recovering well from a first half wobble to really threaten after the interval. But the hosts just lacked that quality in the final third to really give England a scare, with Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses picking up their first win of this qualifying campaign thanks to first half goals from Lauren James and Alex Greenwood.

Ireland load bodies into the box but Louise Quinn can’t make anything of a header from 15 yards or so. That’ll be that!

A booking for Katie McCabe in stoppage time with the Ireland captain still giving it her all at the last.

Chloe Kelly throws in a hopeful cross, which takes a flick off a defender and is thus comfortable for Courtney Brosnan to collect.

Two final England changes, and more evidence of their enviable depth as Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly are introduced. Alessia Russo and Lauren James take leave with Sarina Wiegman looking slightly nervous.